Health secretary urges area seniors to sign up this fall for the coverage, which starts Jan. 1

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt visited Houston on Tuesday to rally efforts to promote the Medicare prescription-drug coverage that will be available for seniors beginning Jan. 1.

Leavitt, who spoke at the Windsor Village United Methodist Church, said the inclusion of prescription-drug coverage represents the most significant change in Medicare since it was started 40 years ago.

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Before his meeting at the church, Leavitt said that Medicare, in the past, was willing to pay $100,000 for a heart operation but would not pay the cost of prescription drugs to prevent a heart attack. With the upcoming changes, he said, such medications will be covered.

"It's not just about prescription drugs," he said. "It's about changing the way America views health care. In the past, we've seen health care primarily as something we get when we are sick. ... This is an effort to prevent illness, to keep people healthy."

Seniors, beginning Nov. 15, will be able to sign up for drug coverage after choosing one of a number of private insurance plans. Most seniors will pay a monthly premium, although the fee may be partially waived for low-income seniors.